Mechanical Reliability and Lifetime of Optical Fibers After 20 Years of Use

The Numerous papers have presented models for the mechanical reliability of optical fibres, or the lifetime of optical fibres, has been modelled in many works. Improvement of the mechanical and optical characteristics of standard single-mode fibres requires new tests and analyses. This paper provides an overview of scientific research into the mechanical reliability of optical fibres by some of the largest manufacturers. The investigation of the mechanical reliability and state of optical fibres after 20 years of real usage is the contribution of the paper, which concludes on its own. The contribution of the work is also in the analysis of the conditions under which optical cables - fibers were used. A prediction of the parameters limiting the lifetime of optical fibres was made based on the analyses that were conducted.